Specsavers stopping peroxide contacts lens solution!

[RedCarsGoFaster]

I've had a letter and a phone call this week from Specsavers - they are withdrawing the hydrogen peroxide contact lens solution. Completely. With no similar alternative offered. As of March 2023.

The only option provided is to use the "multi purpose" one where you have to rub the lenses each time.

Does anyone actually know why? The staff at my branch haven't a clue why this is happening, just that they aren't offering it anymore.

I use the peroxide because a dear friend nearly lost an eyeball to infection from badly cleaned lenses many years ago and I have no desire to cock it up and do the same. I've worn lenses for 18+yrs and always had this solution!

Can anyone advise if it's just Specsavers or a shift in, say, production or an international shortage or something? I can't find any references to it online!

I think Boots used to do a similar product not sure if they still do. I tried it by accident one time but quickly stopped as it irritated my eyes. I wear gas permeable lens and have done for 40 years (not the same pair😬).
I used to always use Boston but disliked the gloopyness. Currently using a Sainsburys one discovered during the pandemic and I like it a lot. I think unless you are very careless an infection is surely rare.

I know it's currently available in shops at the moment, but apparently Specsavers won't be getting it in again after current stock is gone.

I'm a bit cross as I have this on a monthly plan, so them just arbitrarily changing my product with no justification is not on IMO. It certainly reduces the need for an I going plan for me!

I use sainsbury multipurpose and have done for around 15 years. No issues.

Specsavers not sainsbury

There was a blip in Boots' supply a few years ago, but I have been able to get it more recently. I have also found other brands available online.

The plan I am on with Boots does not include solution, so maybe you will need to swap to a similar plan?

Even with the peroxide solution you’re meant to rub the lenses before you put them into it. Manual cleaning is so important. You use some of the solution from the bottle and rinse off using the same and then soak the lenses. I used to use the peroxide solution but made the mistake once of putting my lenses in directly after using it (long story) rather than letting it soak and omg the pain was incredible, thought I was going to die. (This was 20 years ago, I’m not as daft now). Maybe they’ve had stories from similar idiots like me? 🙈

@Xrays I've never manually cleaned them and the guidance says nothing about that. It's exactly why I use it. And I think we've all cocked up and put them in too early 😂 but it's not supposed to cause any lasting damage....

If you don’t mind me asking how much is a monthly plan? And what does it include?
I just buy as I go.

How about swapping to dailies? No cleaning involved at all

@Xrays I did that too it scarred me for life (figuratively speaking thankfully!) I switched to dailies soon after, could never get the lenses to feel clean with the multi purpose cleaner.

I don't know but I like to use Peroxyl mouthwash (which also contains hydrogen peroxide) for my bad gums and that's been OOS in my local Morrison's and Sainsbury's for about six months now! Or at least every time I checked. Perhaps there's a supply problem somewhere.

No good, I have dry eyes so I have monthly ones which stay wetter for longer on the eye.

I think I pay £17-18 a month. Includes lenses, liquids, containers etc, eye tests, contact lens checks and big discount on glasses. I get free single replacement contact lenses from time to time if I drop them or if I've forgotten to take them away with me (only done that twice though!). I've been on this plan since the early 2000s and the price hasn't changed much in that time.

How come monthlies stay wetter longer? I've always found dailies more comfortable because they are thinner.

Have you looked into laser surgery? It was worth every penny for me, I sometimes forget that I spent 20 years of my life possibly about with contact lenses and not being able to see when I woke up in the morning.

Pissing about

@89ghud I have the ones you could wear 24/7 for a month (although I take them out daily and never sleep in them). I used to work in the emergency services and needed lenses that could survive over 24hrs awake without notice and these are far and away the best option. Dailies dry out on me within 7-8hrs of wear so are no good for even normal days.

@NeverApologiseNeverExplain I've looked at it before but I'm not prepared to take the risk of sight loss. In addition to the friend who had the issue with her contact lenses, I've two other friends who had serious side effects from laser surgeries. One has permanent sight loss.

It's a calculation and a balance of risk, and I'm very risk averse about my eyesight. No judgement on anyone else for choosing to do it, as its clearly life changing for lots of people - it's just not for me. Plus my prescription is unstable again and just changed a lot in one eye in the last 2 months so I'm not sure I'm a great candidate anyway.

Boots changed my solution as well to another brand, I think it was during Covid. I haven’t noticed a difference really. I have 2 weekly lenses so you change them every fortnight. My eyes are too dry for dailies, they get stuck on my eyeball after 7-8 hours.

Same and no cleaning worries. I wear my 14 hours on work days.

@RedCarsGoFaster oh wow I haven't even heard of those!

@RedCarsGoFaster what are the 24 hour lenses called please ?

Redcarsgofaster - I have these lenses. Did your brand get changed a year or so ago? The new brand are so different, they have reduced my prescription but my vision is so much worse. Long distance is amazing, I can read signs a ridiculous distance away! But not so good clise up.

They advised they can’t get the old brand anymore and these new ones are more modem technology. I just wondered if yours have changed and how you are finding them.

Yes @Abc12389 they did! Away from the branded version to the generic ones. I agree they aren't as good, but the optician and contact lens manager are insistent they are better....

I'm thinking it's time to move to a difficult) different company. Specsavers have always been great for me, but lately they've been useless in the branch. My new specs needed adjusting at the shop and the staff looked at me like I had two heads when I asked them to do that and said they shouldn't need it. I insisted and someone came to tweak the arms and nose to remove the double vision I had in the edges of the lenses. Really really poor. They also said I didn't need my specs or contact lens prescriptions updating after the last change as "it's only small" - 0.50 isn't that bloody small given I only came in because I was having vision problems. Three staff told me that - I was furious by the end!

I’m with spec savers have lenses and all in one solution
only found out other month go to your account in line you can amend your package and take solution off reduce monthly fee and buy solution elsewhere but still have eye care and cheap glasses